Posted on 01/20/2010 10:25:30 AM PST by bmweezer
“The RINO brigade was bound to come down on Brown. Surprised it happened so quickly.”
Agree. A lot of people here seem to think that you’re either a conservative or a ‘RINO’ and they ignore the reality that there are many shades in between. Today’s RINO might be tomorrow’s conservative and vice versa, depending on how they vote with respect to the latest important piece of legislation. Even among those who are widely accepted as being conservative, there are important degrees of difference. For example, I see John Bolton as a sort of benchmark in conservatism. That is to say, it’s hard for me to imagine anyone being more conservative than he is. But using John Bolton as the standard, even Dick Cheney himself seems pathetically RINO-ish. So let’s not spoil our happy moment today by RINO-Borking our victorious new senator from Massachusetts. Considering what is possible in that state, who were we expecting them to elect, John Bolton?
Less than 1 day and now it is bad news. There are no perfect people and to expect such is very unrealistic. This is a truly a special moment in politics. Can the Republican Party step up and to start with, hit a single? Balance the budget, no more deficit spending. No more bailouts. No more private business restrictions. No more high taxes. No more illegal immigration. No more lying. No more government hiring. No more promises to get re-elected. Nation first, politics a distant second. Doubles, triples and home runs will happen, but 1st base first.
The guy lost me when I got to the “big tent” bullshit.
Thanks....wonder if the gays comprised that 15%...and who was in the 84%...would be nice to know.
I would rather have someone voting 97% of the time with the GOP and able to think for himself and stand on his own convictions, than one who votes 100% of the time and just follows along like a robot.
You got that right, hoss. I backed Romney during the election and was called every name in the book. It soured me to FR for some time. Some people on FR would like it to become “us four and no more, and I sometimes wonder about the other three.”
Thanks for your comment. I agree entirely. There is no standard, defined definition of conservative, and people throw this RINO term around if there is some particular policy a Republican doesn’t like.
Personally, I think the Pubs need to put first principals first: Strong national defense, limited federal government, and limited taxation.
I think the war between the small government/fiscal conservative portion of the party and the so-called social conservatives improves the Dems chances of winning elections, and then we wind up with an Obamunist radical.
I think its time to realize that the majority of the country is center right and drop the firebrand stuff.
This is not to trash the man, more like saying a New England Republican is moderate until proven conservative (if ever).
Celebrate the win, celebrate the 41, but prepare for disappointments here and there.
As a long time fan of Palin long before McCain picked her, I was shocked by some of the comments about her right here on FR the day he chose her. As I was doing cartwheels, others were saying “Palin who?” and “Oh no a another Rino” on several FR post. Who posted those, I don't know. Maybe Mitt, Huckster, or Tancredo supporters, or maybe DU trolls trying to bate us into a fight. In any case they commented before doing any research. The same thing is happening today with Brown.
You either are, or you aren't. In the same way, no one could pressure me to become a liberal. It just couldn't happen! I'd have to lose my soul to become a liberal.
I have argued that point till I'm blue in the face. Too many think in terms of 'black and white'. In everything there are 'shades of grey', degrees of shading, likes and dislikes, dos and don'ts.
Question; 'Care for a hamburger?'
Answer; 'sure, but no pickles please'.
Reply; 'I love pickles, but no tomato for me'.
In black and white we would all love burgers 'all the way', or we would all hate burgers, period.
“PRESSURE BROWN TO BECOME A CONSERVATIVE!”
In reality, that would be the antithesis of why he got elected in the first place. In essence, he would be the next in line to ignore his constituency.
The real issue is for conservatives to open the eyes of their liberal friends to the lies and deceit of the left, and the fallacies of their thinking. Encourage them to question liberal dogma spouted by leftists politicians, academia and the MSM. We need to win hearts and souls of Democrat and Independent voters to a more realistic way of thinking, not set up another politician for a backlash. Only then will you prepare our country, and Massachusetts, to accept a more reasonable, workable role for government.
YOU CAN HELP..
Actually I'm thrilled. I have no delusions that Mr. Brown is a true-blood conservative, but for the moment it is enough that the liberals in DC think he represents all the fire breathing right wingers. The alternative of the Dems retaining their 60 seat majority was so depressing that I can't be anything but happy about this. And for Mass. Mr. Brown is a real right of center guy.
What RINO badge?
Brown’s a moderate? I was led to believe that he is pro-waterboarding, pro military (he’s a Lt Col) anti abortion and pro business. What’s wrong with him? He could be a big player in the party. I (I’m anti abortion, pro military, anti tax and pro business, but not really anti gay) would support him in a heartbeat. I vote for anyone with a “R” after his/her name.
Absolutely....this guy is pretty conservative especially for Massachusetts...he may have trouble holding onto some of the independents and dems that voted for him.
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Excellent post potlatch!
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